DOWNTON Abbey looks set to be rocked by dashing heart-throb Nigel Havers on the show’s Christmas special.

More than 15 million fans are expected to tune in to watch romance blossom. The Chariots Of Fire star, who turned 60 at the weekend, will play handsome aristocrat Lord Hepworth.

He finds himself wooing one of the Abbey’s three beautiful sisters in his evening dress at a sumptuous candlelit dinner. But while Hepworth is aflutter, his love life will – ultimately – remain firmly in the hands of the Dowager Countess of Grantham, played by Dame Maggie Smith.

She will decide whether or not he is a “suitable” prospect for Lady Mary, Lady Edith or Lady Sybil. A record audience of almost 11 million tuned in for Sunday night’s Season Two finale on ITV1.

With her last breath, she told Matthew (Dan Stevens) he should marry Lady Mary, played by Michelle Dockery.

I’m not sure I can handle the excitement!

Holly Willoughby

The show, written by Julian Fellowes, is easily the UK’s most popular drama for more than 10 years. It returns for an eight-part third series next year. Celebrity fans were yesterday lamenting the end of the series.